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Topic Review (Newest First)

05-27-2009 12:31 PM

davmarwood

Propane Solenoid Hot

The prior owner of our boat installed a propane system with a solenoid and a Xintex propane "sniffer". We have been using it without any problems for all of the '08 and the beginning of the '09 season. When the solenoid is activated to allow propane to flow into the lines, it always gets quite warm - warm enough that you wouldn't want to hold your hand on it for more than a few seconds. Because I know heat = energy, I have made a habit of turning the solenoid off ASAP after use. When not in use, the solenoid is room temp. I believe this is normal.

05-10-2009 10:41 AM

Sailormann

My solenoid is also part of a safety control system made by Trident. There are two sensors that turn the solenoid off if they detect propane gas. It is very convenient because all we need to do when we cook is press a button in the galley and the propane is ready to go.

05-10-2009 10:32 AM

Deadeye

Xintex makes a pretty good safety system whereby the solenoid is powered through LPG sensors - any leaks and the solenoid kicks off. I think they can also receive input from a CO monitor, though I've never wired one that way.

I don't get the safety aspect of a solenoid, it sounded like a safety hazard to me so I opted not to install one. when we're done with the stove, we turn the tank valve off, bleed off the LPG then shut the stove off........imo it's safe & simple, uninterupted from reg to stove

I think the solenoid is more for convince than safety.

05-10-2009 01:53 AM

poopdeckpappy

I don't get the safety aspect of a solenoid, it sounded like a safety hazard to me so I opted not to install one. when we're done with the stove, we turn the tank valve off, bleed off the LPG then shut the stove off........imo it's safe & simple, uninterupted from reg to stove

05-09-2009 11:27 PM

floatsome

Warm is probably OK, but the only hot one I encountered failed, and it was so hot we worried about its proximity to the propane. A yard said to tap it to get the plunger working. The heat was due to poor electrical contact. It kept seizing, so it got replaced. But not before we had to go two days at sea without coffee, then remembered the boat had an inverter and small microwave...

05-09-2009 10:31 PM

Sailormann

The manufacturer emailed me saying that the solenoid would get warm during use. Since then I have not worried about it and everything seems to be fine.

05-09-2009 10:27 PM

sailingdeac

Sailorman....Did you ever find out whether a hot solenoid is reasonable? Mine has many years on it, and I just discovered that it gets quite hot. SInce yours was a new one and still was hot, what did the mfg tell you.

06-02-2007 10:58 AM

donradclife

The solenoid coil draws about 1 amp, or 12 watts, which means that it will get warm with time, and also means that you don't want your wife to leave it on when she is not cooking. On the bright side, it will dry it out when it gets wet...ours has lasted over 12 years because we carry a spare.

06-01-2007 10:09 AM

Sailormann

I guess I had better call the Manufacturer. This system cost a fair buck and I am not prepared to replace a solenoid every 12 months...

Thanks for the information !

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